Recreation and film production can co-exist, Squamish Councillor Peter Kent says.
The topic hit media as vehicles and equipment accompanying the latest Star Trek movie rolled into the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park parking lot. Communication between BC Parks, the film crew and climbers and the way in which the production setup were called into question in articles.
In Squamish Climbing Magazine, Tim Schuafele wrote closures in the area due to filming were not communicated clearly between BC Parks, the film crew and climbers, leading to altercations between climbers and film crew security.
“When walking through the area, it feels as though the boulders have been invaded without care,” Schuafele wrote.
The story was also picked up by Global BC under the headline “Filming of ‘Star Trek 3 in Squamish not sitting well with locals,” prompting debate on the Squamish Speaks 2015 discussion group on Facebook.
With a hundred film credits to his name, Peter Kent has seen first-hand how filming can disturb neighbours and routines. The former Arnold Schwarzenegger stunt double recalled a fight scene in Commando in which a mansion’s blooming garden was turned into a sea of rose petals.
“There’s always people inconvenienced by filming,” Kent said. “But I think the benefits out weigh the downside.”
The District of Squamish is known as a film-friendly community, he notes. Last year the industry poured $5 million into the economy of which $2 million went to paycheques written directly to Squamish residents and businesses, Kent said.
The Star Trek production is within BC Parks and therefore out of the district’s jurisdiction. However, Kent said one thing remains the same within and outside of the municipality.
“If film companies leave a mess, they will certainly be punished for that.”
BC Parks granted the Star Trek production a permit allowing them to film in the popular Kacodemon and Black Dyke boulder area from June 15 to July 6. There’s no filming on weekends and the production issued a notice advising climbers they wouldn’t work on Canada Day.
Park-use permits are granted on a case-by-case basis depending on location and the extent of activities proposed, the Ministry of Environment stated in an emailed response to The Squamish Chief. A representative from the Star Trek production met with the Squamish Access Society’s president several times in April, the ministry stated. The organization dedicated to protecting public access to climbing areas completed a walkthrough of the area with production representatives, the ministry noted.
Trails in the park remained opened throughout filming, according to the ministry and a park liaison was on set to assist with managing public access.
“Following the completion of filming, all responses, actions and feedback will be analyzed to help inform continued improvements to filming in BC Parks,” the ministry wrote.
In a notice to climbers, the production stated staff aim to remove equipment between July 2 and 3. The film’s “Greens Department will endeavour to restore the area before the weekend, but there may be remaining work for them to do on Monday, July 6.”
The Squamish Chief contacted several climbers and the Squamish Access Society for comment. None replied.
